Morning Movie Madness

Today a friend and I decided to take our kids, 2 two-year old boys, a 10-month old girl, and a 7-month old girl) to the movies. We knew the boys might be a bit antsy and the girls, well, it was their naptimes but the movie was free and so we thought why not give it a try. We started off our little field trip by getting them some popcorn as a fun little treat and then headed to the theater to find some seats. It was such a nice set up for parents and small children. I brought the stroller for Penny and my friend had a carseat for her little girl (in case of a nap we were thinking!) We were able to find seats in the first row, a 6 seat row with aisles on both ends--perfect!, this is exactly what we wanted! We parked the stroller and carseat in front of us and we sat down to wait for the show to begin. The boys did great...until the popcorn-as-a-brand-new-treat wore off. One started getting up to check out the lights on the aisle stairs and the other one soon followed. Both girls were too distracted for naps and when they both finally started to doze off us mommies had to chase down our kids! We only made it through 1hour of the movie but hey, it was FREE! There were lots of other kids there so we weren't the only ones getting up to chase children. It was a great introduction to the movies and hopefully as the kids' attention spans increase we can actually get in a full movie. Hmmm...but do I really want to sit through a full showing of Firehouse Dog?

Bike Ride to the Beach

Getting ready for the bike ride

Noah's first splashes in the lake this summer

Look mom, sand!

Time to dry off

How do I get back in this thing?

Since Clif had the morning off today, we thought we'd take the kids on a bike ride in our made-for-two-kids bike trailer to a local beach. This was the first time we've gone to the beach this summer. I forget that we have such a fun place so close by, it really didn't long to bike there at all! They have some super fun play equipment that Noah had so much fun running all around, it's set up like a castle with bridges and slides hidden in the nooks and crannies. Penny loved splashing in the lake, I think she thought it was weird to find sand and seaweed at the bottom of the "pool". We were also both surprised at how far Noah was willing to run into the lake, especially with some pretty high tides lapping in toward the beach. The bike ride there and back was great, the weather was perfect, the kids were tired out and now they're sleeping. This momma thinks the beach was a great idea, maybe we'll do it again tomorrow!

Sunday, a Day for Rest...and Chocolate?

Peanut and Daddy

Glorious...a chocolate covered donut!

A quick picture before the mess ensues

Anyone have a wet wipe?

Chocolate anyone?

The jungle balloons...elephant and monkey in a tree

I love summer. I especially love summer because right around the end of June and the beginning of July there are tons of summer festivals in the Chicago area. One of my most favorite is the Strawberry Festival in Long Grove. We went on our yearly pilgrimmage today and it was heavenly. Although it's becoming more challenging to do with two little ones, it is nonetheless a good time. They have lots of chocolatey things to eat two of which I always must have before I leave. 1) the strawberry cake donut covered in smooth chocolate and precariously placed upon a stick and 2) skewers of strawberries, cake, rice krispie treat, and marshmallow doused in liquidy milk or dark chocolate heaven (really, this is how they should advertise them, it's nothing but the truth). We bought these as soon as we arrived there today and that is when we realized two-year old boys and their little sisters that love to do everything they do and melty chocolate are a huge mess waiting to happen. Noah had chocolate dripping down his leg within minutes of handing our money over. Penelope was soon to follow. And, of course Clif and I couldn't leave without some chocolately handprints on our clothing too...deep breath...it'll come out in the wash, right? The last thing we did before we left was get some balloon animals for the kids. There is the best balloon animal maker guy there every year and he can do some really neat stuff with balloons. Noah picked out a monkey in a tree and Penny got an elephant...so cute! Now, we just have to see how long they last before Noah sits on them and pops them.

Psssssss.....

Daredevil Penelope

Hmm...I wonder where she learned it from?

Penny helping Daddy fix the tire

I started today on a roll. Somehow everything fell into place, the kids both got up at a decent hour, were fed and dressed and amazingly I had everyone out the door and in their carseats without so much as a peep. I had lots of errands to run this morning and a few hours to get them done before lunch and naps. Then I started the car and as I moved into reverse I noticed this weird thumpy sound. It ends up that we had a flat tire...so back into the house we went. The kids and I ended up having so much fun going on a long walk and playing out in the yard instead of racing from store to store. I guess that is really what Saturday mornings are for, I'm glad someone made me slow down and enjoy it!

Happy Birthday...to Me!

Say cheese!

Getting a big mouth full of icing...mmmm!

Family photo...the four of us

The first slice of cake

Birthday cakes are so much fun...to karate chop!

Today is my birthday. I am officially a year older. 32 years to be exact. I really don't mind getting older, birthdays are meant to be enjoyed and celebrated so why cry over another year...right? We should all be happy to have another year to share with the ones we love.

It was a great birthday! My husband surprised me by having his parents come up to babysit the kids so we could have a date. We went shopping, saw a movie--The Proposal (which we both really enjoyed...and I will never be able to look at Oscar from The Office the same way again!), and went out for Japanese food--one of my favorite things to eat when I'm minus the kids! It's so nice to be able to have some alone time with my hubby. We came home late and had some cake with everyone. Noah just loves birthdays and cannot get enough of lighting candles, blowing out candles and just making a sugary mess. We let him go to town on the cake since he was just so sweet and innocent, chopping it up like a little samurai. We even let him lick it (why not right?) and just served up some cake with a side of saliva from Noah and enjoyed the beautiful night. What a day...I am blessed!

What Time Is It?...It's Choo Choo Time!

Choo choos for me!

Penelope coming to destroy!

Mom, there's way more room on the floor!

The big train table is up and running. We finally got enough energy and time and finished putting it together last night. It wasn't so hard but if you wanted to have the tracks look like the picture on the box (like we did) you had to match up the right pieces which can take some time. We knew it would be time wasted as this morning Penny was like Godzilla to the tiny little train town we had just built.

When Noah woke up this morning we told him he that we had a surprise for him downstairs. He was so excited, it was almost like an early Christmas. He could not believe he had his very own train table. It is pretty fun, I have to admit. I kinda feel like I'm 7 years old and making a lego town with my sibs. Many of the parts are battery operated so you get the whole train whistle and chugging effect. What fun! As of naptime, the train tracks have somehow way made their way off the table and onto the floor. We'll see where they all end up by bedtime.

The Naked Files

Noah carbo-loading before he plays in the pool

Hey, who's swim trunks and swim diaper are those?

Penny lookin' cute

Noah chillin' in the pool...where's my juice box?

Sooo BIG!

Today it is supposed to be pushing 100 degrees. And, this is not that dry heat you hear about that makes it so nice to be outside baking in the sun. This is heat with humidity...ah, yes the good ol' midwest. We set up our little pool today, bright and early this morning, and the temps were already in the 80's. The minute Clif put it in the backyard and had the hose running ice cold water Noah was in the pool. We eventually were able to wrangle him out of it and get him in his swim trunks...but not for long. Noah splashed in the pool, sat down and rolled around, and then proceded to jump right out and strip down to his bare butt. We asked him what he was doing and he said "pants all wet". I guess that makes sense...when your clothes get all wet or dirty you change them, right? I'll save him the embarrassment of posting those nakie pics (yes, we did take them and lots of them too!!) and just post some pictures of all the fun we had!

Ribs and Squirt Guns

Oh, the ribs are finally done!

Come and get 'em

Noah loves his ribs

Penny making a ribs style mess with broccoli

I finally grilled up the ribs I bought this past weekend. With so much going on the past few days, I kind of forgot about them. Since on Tuesdays I go to a pilates class with some friends in the evening, I decided to make them for lunch. I used to think that ribs were so hard to make but really they are quite easy. Here is my recipe:

Yummy Ribs

2 slabs of baby back ribs
salt--lots of it
pepper--lots of it
chili powder--lots of it (if you can stand a bit of heat!)

a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce

Generously rub salt, pepper and chili powder all over the front and back of the ribs. Wrap them in foil, and bake them in the oven at 400 degrees for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until fork tender. Then, unwrap and slather with a good BBQ sauce. They go directly on the grill for 2-3 minutes per side to crisp up and voila, perfection! They taste so good.

I remember ordering ribs at a restaurant when Noah was younger and they usually give you just enough to satisfy one person. Well, Noah wanted to try them and he ended up eating them all...ok, I might of ate one rib, but you get the picture. The kid loves ribs! So, he was very happy to find out that is what I was cooking up this morning. They were so messy but that's half the fun, especially when you are a kid! I fed Penelope some broccoli while we ate our ribs and didn't put a bib on her. I always regret doing that, even more so now because she is in a spitting her food out/blowing raspberries phase and the food goes everywhere. Guess this momma's got some major spot treating to do today...stain removal fun here I come!

Oh, and if you're wondering, we did save some ribs for Clif. We also set up a very lovely welcome home ambush for him when he came home from work for lunch today. We filled up squirt guns and hid behind the bushes by our front door. Noah had so much fun getting him wet. Ahhhh, summer, it's so fun to see it through a kid's eyes!

Is There Such Thing as a Hair Fairy?

One of Noah's last pictures with long hair

Look at that length!

The first snips...good-bye lovely long hair

Hell-o new 'do!

Reward at last!! Playing with the choo choos

We decided late last night that today would be the day for Noah to get his first official haircut. Gone is the long-locked baby Noah and here now is the grown-up little boy Noah...*tears*

We took him to a one of those cool kid's haircut places where they get to sit in a car...and yes, it was waaay cool. He chose to sit in a little red firetruck complete with a dinging bell. They even played some Bob the Builder on the little tv at his station. Clif was the ever present AV guy manning the video camera and the digital camera, one in each hand. Penny and I were the cheerleaders on the sidelines trying to diffuse any possible signs of tantrums or tears. I have to admit the kid did great! He sat still and followed his stylist's directions the whole time. Even smiling for the camera to show of his new 'do. Afterwards, we let him play with the big train table they had in their playroom where he choo choo'd his little heart out.

Clif and I decided that for such a momentous occasion he deserved a gift. So, the hair fairy is bringing him his very own train table and all the numerous pieces that come with it tonight when he goes to bed. I think we will live to regret this decision as soon as that box opens tonight. The box says "over 100 pieces!"...is that really a good thing?

Father's Day

Noah walking the tracks at the Railway Museum

All Aboard!

Noah getting some fresh air on the train

Daddy and his two munchkins getting ready to eat some breakfast

Noah showing off some of the gifts he made for Daddy

Today is Father's Day. And, oh what a day it has been. I started the day off by making breakfast for my hubby and in bed no less! He feasted on pancakes, eggs and bacon (from Farmer Nick--see previous entry :) and orange juice with a side of fingers in it thanks to Noah, our two year old! We also gave our favorite daddy some hand-made gifts. Framed pictures of Noah and Penelope's handprints and some cool sun catchers that you make in the oven, just like when I was a kid, right on!

We headed to the Illinois Railway Museum for a Father's Day date with some friends and their little ones. As soon as we arrived it started raining. What? That wasn't in the weather forecast!! (even with the Doppler 7000 they still can't get it right!) Not to worry though, since it didn't last long. Dad's were free today and they received a little gift bag, how cute! We took all the kids and road one of the old trains they have running, ate at the little train depot restaurant and then headed back to our place for some barbecuing!!

Since it was Father's Day, we of course had the dads do the grilling. On the menu: brats, filet mignon, and assorted sides. It was great and the meat was grilled to perfection...thanks Clif and Steve! We even had a Chocolate French Silk pie for dessert and, if you can believe it, we are actually stuffed!

So now, the kids are all tucked and sleeping in bed and I am soon to follow.

Happy Father's Day Honey! Hope you had a good one!